Hi All,
I have cooked many things in my oven so far, pizza,bread,chicken,ribs etc...
Now the time is coming I think I need to make the big turkey day meal... This will make my sister happy as well. I have done the Turkey deep fry,, It was ok.. Would like to prepare as much of the meal as possible in the WFO....

So my questions

1. Probably 18-20 lb Turkey, Will my cooking time vary that much from the house oven ?

2. What other things has anyone cooked with their turkey ie: veggies, casserole, etc.. ??

3. will I have time to bake some bread after the other stuff is done and still have the turkey hot..?

4. appetizer suggestions ?

5. Would cooking it like a beer can chicken be a good idea ?

6. what order will I be cooking stuff in ?

Im asking early as I would like to test drive a smaller turkey before the big day,,

And belive me any help, advice, recipes and suggestions are greatly appreciated !!!

I am SO planning on doing my Thanksgiving turkey in the WFO. I am thinking I'll butterfly it as I do with chickens, since that reduces the cooking time quite a bit and seems like it works well to get the dark and white meat done at the same time. What I have not verified is whether my roasting pan and rack will fit through the door. If not, I might have to cut the whole bird in half and roast it in two pieces.
A test drive is a great idea! I might have to try that, too, since I usually go for an organic free range bird and they are $$.

__________________Great pizza, a cold beer,a great cigar and great friends...my idea of a great timeTo view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

will I have time to bake some bread after the other stuff is done and still have the turkey hot..?

Since you will be roasting your turkey at retained heat temperatures, they won't be much different than regular oven temperatures. Therefore, you can slide in beside the roast anything you want, including casseroles, and trays of rolls. Remember that you're dealing with a declining temperature curve, with the turkey going in at 450 and coming out at 325, in my oven, so you want to choose dishes that aren't temperature critical, but that includes most thanksgiving dishes.

__________________ My geodesic oven project: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts., To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

splat,
I like the idea of cutting in half, I have had the butcher do that for me before with their bandsaw,, I think I will buy one and do the test drive on half, and freeze the other half.. then buy another whole one for thanksgiving.. My oven is big enough to do it in two pans when thanksgivng comes..

David, I guess I should get my menu together and plan so I can put them all in together,, Including making my dough early enough..

Sorry to come late to this thread, we cooked a 16lb turkey two years ago, and did it whole, with stuffing. started at about 450, and cooling from there. also did pureed parsnips (organic parsnips, with butter and cream), roast potatoes and carrots, brussell sprouts and one other veg. all in the oven, all fabulous. don't think you need to cut it in half, just go for it.

We brined it like Alton Brown suggests and have a big pizza party Wed night, throw the door on and start the turkey mid morning on Thursday. Always some coals left over and we throw a few hickory splits on to keep the smoke going.

So far 3 turkeys have turned out great. Not as pretty as splatgirls chicken but (I believe) every bit as tasty!!!

I must say - I did not stuff them - I worried that the heat of the oven would cook the bird too fast.

Also - I filled a coffee can (I think they still make them) with water and stuck it in the back of the oven an hour before we put the bird in. I think that helps with the moist bird thing but can't be sure cause I've never not done it....

No part of this website or content thereof may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, nor may any part of this website be stored in a database or other electronic retrieval system, or any other website, without the prior written permission of Forno Bravo.